Pretty in pinstripe: RESENE

Known as much for its palatial estates and neoclassical manors as it is for its humble cottage hideaways, the ever-charming English countryside is practically synonymous with rest and relaxation.

For many of us though, travelling to the far reaches of the globe – over even beyond the boundaries our own neighbourhoods – isn’t in the foreseeable future.

In the absence of being able to retreat to the old world for a far flung piece of quiet comfort, many homeowners are looking for ways to up the serenity of their own homes, baches or both.

Inspired by country hotels in the Cotswolds, this soothingly laidback bedroom has been layered with soft, feminine details brought to life by an unexpected colour combination. The key to its success lies in its abundance of visual texture and repetition of shapes. Both these have been brought about through a plenitude of vertical lines.

While wallpaper is commonplace in English homes, both urban and rural, you can try their hand at a hand-painted wall design instead. We started with Resene Mystic as our main wall colour before adding narrow vertical stripes in Resene Relax two thirds of the way up the wall. By not carrying the lines all the way to the ceiling, the design creates a grounding effect and keeps the stripes from overwhelming.

This feature wall has been offset by a return wall clad in tongue-and-groove panelling, which has been installed vertically so as to subtly echo the hand-painted lines on the back wall. The panelling is painted in Resene Surf Crest, a pale sea foam green, cool and milky in tone and trimmed in Resene Astronaut, a deep navy. This high-contrast hue has been carried throughout the space on the lamp base and small vases to create continuity while a few hand-painted stripes and scallops on the bedside lamp in Resene Zephyr and the layering of striped bedlinens and cushions builds just the right level of cohesion for the ‘theme’ to carry through.

As a finishing touch, a few minor details in a gingery ochre have been added, such as the round velvet cushion and the picture frame. Try painting a few small accessories in Resene Dark Buff for a similar look.

PAINT
Back wall in Resene Mystic with stripes in Resene Relax. Tongue-and-groove panelled wall in Resene Surf Crest with trims in Resene Astronaut. Floor in Resene Mystic with Resene FX Paint Effects medium tinted with Resene Dusted Grey. Headboard in Resene Relax with uprights in Resene Quarter Iron. Bedside table in Resene Dusted Grey chalk from thwe Karen Walker chalk collection.

ACCESSORIES
Bedspread from H&M Home, pillowcase from Thread, green patterned cushion and round rust-coloured cushion from Collect Living, white cotton euro pillowcases, navy cushion and blue throw on chair from Places & Graces.

Project by Kate Alexander | Images by Bryce Carleton

Get inspired at your local Resene ColorShop, www.resene.co.nz/colorshops.